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EAT THE FAT, DRINK THE SWEET, AND BE MERRY
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A Biblical Defense for Play on the Lord’s Day by Rev. Charles L. Jacob
EAT THE FAT, DRINK THE SWEET, AND BE MERRY: A Biblical Defense for Play on the Lord’s Day by Rev. Charles L. JacobIIIM Magazine Online, Volume 2, Number 12, March 20 to March 26, 2000
The author writes: “I have become increasingly persuaded that recreation in the context of a covenant family is not prescribed… playfulness in biblical perspective may actually enhance our ability to worship and honour our creator”.
He begins by looking at Isaiah 58, particularly verses 13-14 suggesting that “playfulness and recreation” is not what Isaiah has in mind.
He refers to Nehemiah 8:9, quoted in the title, as an example of a holy day to be enjoyed, not endured. “Culinary playfulness” he calls it. He finds more examples of playfulness in David’s worship as he brings the ark into Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6).
Creation as described in Genesis and Proverbs is joyful – even playful. God is portrayed as enjoying creation. The author adds: “playfulness touches humanity at a very fundamental level and to ignore it by being possessed by seriousness is to become less human”. Playfulness celebrates creation.